The “To Do” list comes into play after you have implemented formal search engine optimization for your site including generating keywords, composing volumes of content accordant with site design; proper keyword placement within your source code and within your content.

The “To Do” list is comprised of activities you would be well-advised in practicing at various intervals on a daily, bi-monthly and semi-annual basis. It is an SEO maintenance schedule.

The only activity I have failed to include is how to incorporate a good analytics program into your SEO campaign. This is something you’ll want to make reference and follow up at a later date.

Also you will want to explore how to read and assess the data from an analytics program in order that you may make the proper modifications to your site in response to SEO.

You will want to include it as part of your SEO activities after you have had an opportunity to get your feet “good and wet” within the field of search engine optimization.

Right now we are taking “baby steps,” therefore the following SEO “To Do” list is just right for an individual relatively new to SEO practice and procedures:

The following activities need to be scheduled at least once each day:

* Find quality links to place on your site.

You will want to manage this activity as follows:

a. First sign up for a listing under your keyword category within the Open Directory Project (ODP). After you have done so and you have received a listing, review the sites listed within your category.

b. Next, check out the sites listed within your category to determine if any of the sites have a links page.

c. Email the sites’ webmasters where you find provide a links page and ask him or her if they’d be interested in exchanging links. (Make it your goal to swap links with at least one relative quality site each day.)

d. Next you construct a page of relevant content where you place the links provided by those who have been agreeable to an exchange.

Also, in regard to points c above, you may also want to review the links on the relative sites links page to find out if there are sites there which would be beneficial to you as a possible link exchange.

In the “exchange of links,” practice patience if you do not have immediate results—eventually you will receive parties who are interested in “swapping” links.

* Another activity you will want to involve yourself with on a daily basis is creating fresh content.

Make it your goal to write one page of text daily. Articles that are up-to-date and topical as to your theme are essential in the process of successful and on-going optimization.

Write informative articles and avoid anything that is of a more personal nature.

Your articles should appeal to a general audience.

Also, remember since your objective is to please the main search provider Google, lots of quality content is needed.

You will want to make certain you write content over an array of keywords and relative to the theme of your site.

Remember too, if you are lacking as to ideas in this regard, you may always place your site’s theme or topic inside the keyword generator to attain various combinations of keywords used by surfers in order to find information regarding products and/or services within your industry.

Once you have some new combinations of keywords, you may begin composing content and pages that revolve around the keywords of your choosing.

In a year’s time, if you make this one of your daily activities you will end up with hundreds of pages of content.

You will be able to attain a good ranking within the search engines using a variety of keyword combinations.

Additionally by writing such a high volume of quality content and being listed with ODP (Open Directory Project) you may be able to generate a fair amount of reciprocal linking outside of your own efforts.

Therefore your daily activities include two items:

a. Reviewing the ODP (Open Directory Project) for links in your keyword category and requesting exchanges.

(This activity takes place daily after you have been listed with the ODP, also known as the Open Directory Project.)

Make it your goal to eventually acquire one relative link per day.

b. Secondly write one quality article daily, basing your content on a keyword combination after using a keyword generator such as Overture.

(By year’s end, your site should be filled with hundreds of pages of quality content—which is sure to raise your status within the major search providers.

Six Months:

You’ll want to make note on a semi-annual basis is to check and assure you are still listed with all the search engines and directories wherein you originally submitted your site.

If you don’t find yourself not listed, resubmit your site and then make a note and calendar yourself to check submission status once again in six month’s time.

Other SEO scheduled activities:

Lastly, other activities that coincide with your SEO (search optimization activities) and are recommended you do time permitting or as needed include the following:

* Sign up and place relative content as well as a link to your site on social networking sites such as:

*
1. Digg,

*
1. Technorati, and,

*
1. Stumble Upon.

In using the aforementioned sites, you may gain exposure to your site from individuals who are truly interested and thus will be able to provide you with plenty of targeted traffic.

Keep apprised of new developments within your keyword category.

If you are anticipating a new product launch, then build a page early, and have it ready in order that the major search engines have it by the product’s launch date.

In conclusion of the preceding additional items on your SEO “To Do” list:

1. Sign up with the social networking sites and use them as a means to attain traffic to your site:

1. Keep aware of new trends and product launches within your field.

Build pages prior to new product projection dates in order that your new product pages may be submitted early to the search engines and prior to anticipated launch dates.

In Summary:

Follow the basic SEO Guidelines of this e-Book which involves:

1) Researching keywords,

2) Placing keywords in relevant places such as content and Meta tags;

3) Continually create content,

4) Designing text oriented sites that are provide navigational ease for end users;

5) And, subsequently perform SEO maintenance.

By so doing, you will be well on your way to search engine optimization success.

Chapter Twelve Twelve – Your Search Engine Optimization “To Do” List

From: Search Engine Optimization for Internet Beginners By Mike Crooks